CVE-2010-4325 in GroupWise
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in gwwww1.dll in GroupWise Internet Agent (GWIA) in Novell GroupWise before 8.02HP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted TZID variable in a VCALENDAR message.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4325 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the GroupWise Internet Agent component of Novell GroupWise email system. This security weakness exists in the gwwww1.dll library and affects versions prior to 8.02HP2, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this email infrastructure for business communications. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of calendar data within the vcalendar message format, creating an opportunity for remote code execution that could compromise entire email servers and potentially lead to broader network infiltration.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the GroupWise Internet Agent's processing of calendar invitations and scheduling data. When the system receives a specially crafted VCALENDAR message containing a malformed TZID variable, the application fails to properly bounds-check the data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the GroupWise service account. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible email servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within corporate networks. Organizations using GroupWise email systems become vulnerable to various attack vectors including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor installation. The flaw affects the core email infrastructure, potentially disrupting business communications while allowing unauthorized access to sensitive calendar data, meeting schedules, and personal information stored within the email system. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that could enable lateral movement within networks where GroupWise systems are integrated with other corporate services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4325 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to version 8.02HP2 or later, as provided by Novell to address the buffer overflow condition in gwwww1.dll. Network administrators should implement additional protective measures including firewall rules to restrict access to GroupWise Internet Agent ports, monitoring for suspicious VCALENDAR traffic patterns, and implementing email content filtering to block malformed calendar invitations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions, and represents a potential entry point for attackers following ATT&CK techniques related to initial access and execution. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the blast radius of potential exploitation and implement comprehensive logging to detect unauthorized calendar data processing activities that could indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.